The
Concilium Plebis (
English:
Plebeian Council or
People's Assembly) was the principal popular assembly of the ancient
Roman Republic. It functioned as a legislative assembly, through which the
plebeians (commoners) could pass laws, elect magistrates, and try judicial cases. The Plebeian Council was originally organized on the basis of the
Curia. Thus, it was originally a "Plebeian Curiate Assembly". Around the year 445 BC, it was reorganized on the basis of the Tribes. Thus, it became a "Plebeian Tribal Assembly". The Plebeian Council usually met in the well of the comitium. Often patrician senators would observe from the steps of the
Curia Hostilia, and would sometimes heckle during meetings. The representatives of the Plebeians in government are called Tribunes. These Tribunes had the power to veto the laws of the Senate. Only the plebeians were allowed to vote.